Posted on 05/04/2014 6:48:56 AM PDT by cotton1706
Here's how Sen. Lindsey Graham is navigating through six challengers in South Carolina's Republican primary: goodwill, shrewd politics and nearly $7 million in campaign cash.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney was thought to be a credible challenger in the June 10 primary, until Graham inspired House leaders to give Mulvaney a seat on the House Financial Services Committee. Mulvaney opted against challenging the two-term senator.
A hacking episode resulted in the theft of South Carolina taxpayers' personal information and a public relations problem for Gov. Nikki Haley, also up for re-election this year. Graham advised her on the situation, and now she has better poll numbers than he does.
Not long ago, Graham looked vulnerable to a primary challenge from conservatives offended by his bipartisan dealmaking and votes for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominees. Tea party challenges ousted GOP incumbents in the past two elections, and, some believe, prevented the party from regaining the Senate.
But Graham's power and shrewdness, not to mention the intimidating $7 million treasury, have positioned him to cruise to the nomination and likely re-election in November. He's benefited from the support of establishment Republicans and allied groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce focused on gaining the six seats the GOP needs to retake the Senate.
Two top potential rivals let people know early on they were out.
State Sen. Tom Davis, an aide to former Gov. Mark Sanford, predicted before the Republican convention in 2012 that South Carolina voters would oust Graham. But Davis said he could do more for his libertarian-leaning causes in the state Senate, and that to run against Graham, he would need to raise a lot of money.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Remember that Dewhurst was also declared the winner a month out as well.
True. One major difference was thate Dewhurst was not an incumbent, either.
Not my state. Full agreement cotton ... May South Carolina replace graham. Would be better for the nation, if can be done with an actual Conservative.
I guess the electorate of South Carolina are predominantly masochists.
Given that Obama was twice elected, I see no reason to be hopeful that the tyranny of the low-information voter or of the gibsmedat voter will dissipate prior to the 2014 elections.
That South Carolina has open primaries is also a significant contributing factor.
Be prepared to grind your teeth over the re-election of Fairy Graham.
He gives pretty speeches. I saw him speak at a Clemson commencement and he’s likable and friendly. That goes a long way in politics especially with the loinvoters.
The March primary in Texas returned John Wayne McCornin as the Republican RINO in the November Elections.
You cannot beat a 1% Rich RINO with a bunch of nobodies who have no money, no massage, and do not put up a fight
It is time for 3RD party options
The March primary in Texas returned John Wayne McCornin as the Republican RINO in the November Elections.
You cannot beat a 1% Rich RINO with a bunch of nobodies who have no money, no massage, and do not put up a fight
It is time for 3RD party options
How pathetic that they can’t find a candidate with spine and guts to run against Linda.
The electorate in SC wouldn’t recognize someone with cajones if their lives depended on it, ya think?
Enjoy a true patriot for a change:
Conservatives in a red state should know what’s going on. No excuse. Nebraska did the same with Hagel. No meeting of the minds. Mccain held back the best challenger. So did Cornyn as well as Alexander in August. Maybe our savior will be Scott Brown just like Bloomberg in the NY mayors race. Gag me with a spoon!
But, he was the heir apparent according to the establishment and it was his turn, don’t chya know. It was like a compete surprise to them that he lost.
Amen to that cotton1706
Please SC, dump this turd.
“a bunch of nobodies who have no money, no massage, and do not put up a fight”
I’m not too sure about “no massage.”
What really sucks is that I get 10x more representation from Ms. Lindsey than I do my own representatives!
If Senator Graham wins the Republican Primary June 10th or the possible run-off 3 weeks later, then S.C. gets a non-Constitutional conservative senator either way. But we’re far from the only State caught in this kind of situation.
FR poster who discourage S.C.’s conservative electorate BEFORE the election probably are secret supporters of the SCGOPe or are Democrats. It really is easy for the reader to discern.
FR posters...
That is scary. I have two Senators that do not respond except mostly with vitriol when contacting but a Representative that is a straight shooter with me. My Representative has been good to bordering on great. Both Senators, one a republican, the other a democrat never or hardly even listen to anything I have to say. The republican is hardly ever listening and the democrat never listens. Hear mostly from out of state Senators, in mailings.
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